Mosaic Harmony Proudly Presents: Singing Naked! Bring Your Voice, No Other Instrument Required.

March 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Oakton, VA — Mosaic Harmony, an interfaith, multicultural community choir based in Northern Virginia, presents Singing Naked! their 6th annual vocal workshop and this year are once again inviting the community to join them.  The 2011 workshop will be conducted by Mosaic Harmony’s talented Assistant Director, Laura Romstedt, and will be held at Mosaic Harmony’s regular rehearsal space, UUCF, 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, Virginia on Tuesday, March 29 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.  

The vocal workshop, which originally started as a vehicle to increase the confidence of Mosaic Harmony members who had little or no experience singing gospel music, has grown to become a staple of the choir’s season.  Guest conductors of previous vocal workshops include Ysaye Barnwell, of Sweet Honey in the Rock fame and other prominent choral directors in the Washington metropolitan area.

Music has always been a passion for Laura Romstedt.  She grew up in a family that would often sing the instruments' parts in classical pieces.  She studied voice in college, and has sung in choral groups, church choirs, and musical productions.  Laura was introduced to Gospel music when she sat in on a Mosaic Harmony rehearsal in 1993 and joined the choir that evening.  She is a principal soloist for the group and has been Assistant Director since 2001.

Romstedt thought that the title would be a great hook, noting "we're going tell people they really can sing naked!"  She then went on to explain, "When you think of acappella it sounds scary to be “naked” in public or if you have never sung with others.  This is a great way to take a risk and try this in a safe, supportive environment.  Failure is impossible because we’ll simply be experimenting with our voices... which is great fun!”  Romstedt notes that she will also provide “tips and tricks” for a cappella singing along the way.  

Romstedt quickly agreed with Rev. Asa Lee, the choir accompanist who conducted the 2009 and 2008 workshops, that the workshop is the perfect time to hone breathing, tonal pronunciation and vocal projection skills as well as techniques on retaining a new material learned in rehearsals.  

Cost of the vocal workshop will be $10 per person and will also serve as an opportunity for the community to meet Mosaic Harmony to see first-hand why their goal is to unify the world one song at a time.   Mosaic Harmony's season runs from September through June and they perform approximately 20 times throughout the year at a wide variety of venues.  Their audiences have heard them perform many a cappella selections including the beautiful hymn, Even Me, the familiar Negro spirituals Aint'a That Good News, Good News Chariot's A Comin' all of which are on their CDs Be Encouraged and Make Us One.

For more information on the vocal workshop and on the choir visit the site www.mosaicharmony.org

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Mosaic Harmony’s concerts are high-energy, inspiring performances that leave their audiences feeling uplifted and encouraged. Music performed by the choir includes traditional and contemporary gospel to new music written by its dynamic and talented director, the Reverend David K. North. Mosaic Harmony draws on the rich heritage of African-American inspirational music to demonstrate and encourage unity in the midst of diversity. Mosaic Harmony brings together people of diverse cultures, ages, backgrounds, and more than 17 faith traditions to celebrate humanity. Their mission is to unify the world, one song at a time.